Projectile and fuse or firing mechanism therefor.



Patnted Aug.- 21, 1917.

3 SHEETS-sneer 1T W. S. ISHAM.

FROJECTILE AND FUSE 0R FIRING MECHANISM THEREFOR.

APPLICATIDN FILED MAR. Il, |916.

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Patented Aug. 21, 1917.

3 SHiETS-SHEl 2.

W. S. ISHAM.

PROJECTILE AND FUSE 0R FIRING MECHANISM THEREFOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. H, |916. 1,2 37,909. Patented Aug. 21, 1917.

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UNITED STATES PATENT orrrca WILLARD S. ISHAM, 0F WASHINGTON, DISTRICT 0FCOLUMBIA, .ASSIGNOR T0 CLARA H. ISHAM, 0F WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OFCOLUMBIA.

PROJECTILE `AND FUSE 0R FIRING MECHANISM THEREFOR.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented-Augsl, 1917.

Application led March 11, 1916. Seria1No. 83,578.

To all whom z' may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLARD S. IsHAM, a citizen of the United States,residing-at Washington, District of Columbia, have in-v ,for what areknown in the art as torpedo shells.

In a copendingl application, Serial No. 838,119 filed May 12,1914,(Patent No. 1,179,105, granted April 11, 1916), I have disclosed andclaimed a fuse operable to effect practically instantaneous explosion ofa torpedo shell when the shell strikes heavy armor plate or other solidtarget offering resistance of similar character and intensity, and'alsooperable to effect delayed explosion when the shell strikes water,whereby the shell may function as a mine. These results are attained bythe conjoint use of what I have for brevity designated in saidco-pending application as a semi-insensitive charge, and percussionmechanism combined with adelay action or time train. The so-calledsemi-insensitive charge is a detonator charge consisting of an explosiveof such character or so arranged as to explode by shock of impact of thecontaining projectile with heavy armor plate or the like, but not toexplode upon impact with water or with thin armor such as is used ontorpedo boats, for example. The delay action train is arranged to be setin action by any appreciable impact or retardation. Impact with water ora material offering a degree of resistance equal to or even much lessthan that offered by water will readily f set the train in action.Provision is made for automatically cutting out the delay train, whollyor in part, upon impact 0f the projectile with a solid target, impactwith even thin armor, `skeleton masts, or

the like, being suilicient to operate the delay cut-out. When the delaytrain is lthus cut out by impact, the percussion mechanism causessubstantially instantaneous explosion of the projectile even where shockof imsimilar characteristics. rangement of said detonator charge may be:pact with the solid target in question is insufficiently intense todetonate the semiinsensitive charge. The fuse mechanism includes safetymeans operative to prevent accidental. and premature explosion inhandling and firing the shell from a gun, said safety means beingautomatically rendered inoperative, however, by mot-ion of theprojectile in flight.

It is evident therefore that the invention of my prior applicationprovides for `effecting explosion of a shell in at least threedifferentways according to the characterz of the target hit by theshell, the particular mode of explosion' appropriate to impact of anygiven character being automatically effected independently of conditionsof flight prior to impact. Y

An object of the present invention is to utilize the above broadprinciples of operation in a fuse construction differing in somerespects from the construction of my'prior application aforesaid andsuperior' thereto for certain conditions and requirements lof actualservice.

Another object of my invention is to -insure still greater eiiiciencyand certainty of fuse operation by utilizing' certain broad principlesnever utilized in fuse construction heretofore so far as I am aware.

Another object of my invention is to throw additional safeguards aroundthe handling and firing of high explosivev shells whereby thepossibility of premature explosion is practically eliminated.

Further objects of the invention will appear as the descriptionproceeds.

An important feature of the present `invention in an especiallydesirable embodiment thereof is the character and dispoSi-, tion of theso-called semi-insensitive charge,l which in the present instance isembodied in a movable detonator charge. 4In a specific example, thisdetonator charge may be of mercury fulminate or other material of Thedesign and arsuch as to bring the same within the above .l

denition of a semi-insensitive charge;y in

spite of the well known sensitiveness of -ful pansion or safetychamberwhich is suitably visolated from the burster or main charge of theshell, or from the booster charge, if this latter be employed. As willappear, the 5 detonatorvcharge may itself constitute part or the whole`of a booster charge; or lav booster charge distinct from the saiddetonator charge may be employed. Saidexpansion or safety chamber ismost desirably .l0 of sulicient capacity and solidity of construction toaccommodate an explosion of the detonator charge without beingruptured.v Less advantageously, the safety chamber may be of aconstruction insuii-` sion would not rupture the safety chamber, wouldbe wholly without detonating effect on the shell charge, and wouldtherefore be harmless.` A j While I have above referred to asemiinsensitive charge as constituting a .desirable feature of myinvention, and while I employ such a charge in certain desirablepracticalembodiments of my invention hereinafter to be described, itisnot to he inferred that such a charge is necessarily an indispensableelement of said invention in all'its possible forms. VThe benefits o1'the invention can be realized, at least in'part. withoutregard to thespecial character of the detonator charge.

Provision must be made, however, to insure that upon 'ring theshell,.the outlet for the detonator charge is transferred automaticallyfrom the safety chamber or position of inoperativeness into operativerelation to the burster or main shell charge.

Or, stating it more broadly, the inoperative relation normallyexisting-between the detonator charge andthe burster is changed toanioperative relation. According to the .present form of my inventionthis is accomplished by providing a carrier member for themovabledetonator charge, said carrier member being arranged to be suitablymoved to eifect the desired transfer by a force or by forces ldevelopedin connection with the operationof firing the shell from the gun. In thebest form of the invention at present known t'o me, the set-backpressure at the instant of firing is directly utilized to eifect thetransfer of the carrier and its contained detonator charge frominoperative to opera- In the construction to be more fully hereinafterdisclosed, such an explo-- Whose riling has been destroyed to a greater.or less extent by erosion, nevertheless the detonatror charge is movedinto operative position with certainty. In'connectlon wlth the carrierfor the movable Ydetonator charge, I

'usually employ means for governing the 75 rapidity at which saidcarrier can operate Y to effect the transfer in question. In a practicalembodiment such means may take the forn of an inertia governor whichfunctions `in a manner analogous to afHy-wheel; acting initially as avbrake to'- prevent too rapid movement'ofthe detonatorcharge out of thesafety chamber, whereby said charge does not leave inoperative positionuntil the shell is safely out of the gun, and then giving outstored'power to the carrier whereby the latter is certain' to completeits movement into operative position.

lIn order to lmore fully explain the nature and operation of myinvention, but without 9o intending thereby to be limited to anyspecific mechanical construction, I have illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings certain practical embodiments of the broad principles involved,said embodiments being merely typical of constructions within the scopeof the appended claims. In these drawings Figure 1` is a longitudinalsection partly broken away, of a fuse embodying the in- 10o vention,thesection being taken on the line 1 1 .of Fig. 3 and the parts beingshown in theposition occupied prior to iring'the Fig. 2 is a similarView in section on the 105 line.2 2 of Fig. 4, showing the position ofthe fuse parts after the projectile has left the gun and prior toimpact;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectionon the line 3 3 of Fig. 1; 11C

Fig. 4 is a transverse section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of the forward portion of the fusetaken about on the line 5 5 of Fig. 3, the combined hammer 11-5 andbearing block,V and associated parts, being shown in elevation and intheir respective positions prior to firing;

Fig. 6 is an end elevation of the combined hammer and bearing block;

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of a combined train memberv anddelay-train-cutter;

Fig. Sis al transverse section on the line 8 8 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a view of the fuse spective;

Fig. 10 is an end view of the movable charge carrier from the rear;

Fig. 11 is a longitudinal section of the forward portion of a shellequipped with 130 plug in pery rear. portion of a fuse mechanism broadlysimilar to the fuse mechanism of Figs. 1 and 2 but embodying additionalfeatures of advantage, thel parts being shown in position prior tofiring; and

the mechanism of Fig. 12, showing'therespective positions of said partsafter firing. l

The fuse or firing mechanism illustrated' in Figs. 1 to l0, inclusive,is a nose or point fuse adapted more particularly for use with shells tobe fired at ships. The hollow cylindrical casing o r fuse stock 20,which is best constructed of steel, is provided externallynearits'forward end with screw threads 21, whereby it may be secured ina threaded opening in the nose of a torpedo shell (not shown). Notchesor recesses 21a are provided to accommodate a spanner wrench or l othertool for screwing the fuse into place. When assembled with the shell,the fuse device therefore extends rearwardly from the point or nose ofthe shell into the shell chamber and is substantially surrounded by andembedded in a high explosive such as trinitrotoluol for example, whichconstitutes the burster charge and which it is the function of the fusedevice to detonate vat the proper moment. This hurster is a relativelyinsensitive charge; that is, it is not explosible by shock alone, butrequires what is technically known as a detonator or exploder charge tosend it oii".

The casing or stock 20 is closedat the rear by a screw threaded brassend plug 22. Somewhat forward of this plug is a heavy screw-threadedbronze or brass partition plug 23. Both these plugs screw into placefrom the rear of the fuse stock and have left hand threads in order thatthe clockwise spin of the shell and fuse stock induced by the gunrifiing may tend to screw them the more tightly into place. The chamber24 lying between these plugs contains in this instance a booster charge,trinitrotoluol for example. The walls of the booster chamber are sodesigned with reference to the booster as to be readily shattered uponexplosion of the latter, whereby the burster charge is'detonated.

At a suitable distance in front of partition 23 is a screw threadedbronze or brass 'flanged fuse plug 25 which screws into position againstannular shoulder 25a from the front of the casing and'which thereforehas right hand threads. The chamber 26 com` prised between the fuse plugand partition 23 constitutes an expansion or safety chamber wherein thedetonator charge, to be hereinafter fully described, is maintainedentirely isolated from the booster and burster F 13 is anotherlongitudinal section of;

. secured to the head plug is charges at all times prior to firing theshell from a n. The cubic capacity and strength of this safety chamberare so designed as to render it amply able to withstand the burstingpressure which would be developed byfan accidental explosion of thedetonator charge.

For convenience is assembling, plugs 2 and 23 may be provided withsuitable tool engaging means, such as kerf 22a and recesses 23a,respectively.

In front, the casing is closed byI a head plug 27 of bronze or brass,which yscrews into place on a right hand thread against shoulder 27a. Aneccentrically located steel impact pin 28 projects infront of plug 27and extends through a bore in said plug with a tight fit, terminating atthe rear in a conical point 29. A shear pin 30 of brass or the likeextends laterally into the head'' material, but not upon impact withwater. To the rear of the head plug and normallyin contact with theforward flanged end 31 ofthe fuse plug is a cylindrical hammer block 32,of bronze or brass, which fits loosely in the fuse stock. A guide pin 33u shown partly entering with .an easy sliding Vfit a deep recess 34 inthe forward face of the hammer block. By this means proper alinement ofparts carried by the head-plug and hammer block is insured,'the hammerblock being held against rotation relatively to the l head plug, whilebeing permitted limited movement longitudinally with respect thereto.The hammer block carries a percussion cap 35 which, upon sufficientrelative forward movement of the hammer block, strikes against firingpin 36 carried by the head plug. The percussion cap is arranged to fiashthrough channel 37 which leads to a bore 38 extending axially throughthe hammer block.

Means for controlling and transmitting the flash from channel 37 to thefuse plug will now be described. In the embodiment here illustrated saidmeans comprises a T- shaped member of steel'having a transverse head 39anda stem or punch portion ,40 provided with` an axial vent passage 41,which passage opens laterally at 42 (Fig. 7) and is widened to the stemedges at the rear end as at 43 to provide an escape vent for air trappedin the rear portion of vent passage 41. This member not only functionsas a movable train member, but as will later be explained, it may alsooperate as a punch to cut out the delay' action train to be hereinafterdescribed.

The normal or safety position of the member 239-40 is illustrated inFigs. 1 and 5 where it is shown abutting the head plug,

the arms of the T being in alinement, re`

spectively, with helically sloped bearing surfaces 44 formed on thehammer block; while the stem portion lies in the axial bore 38. The rearfaces 45 -of the T-arms are sloped to mate Vwith the sloped bearingsurfaces the vent opening 42 and pellet 51 of quick-' burning powder atthe forward end of passage 41 are out of registry with the rear en'd ofpassage 37 and are isolated therefrom. Moreover the spring 49 is so designed that if it be momentarily compressed as by a pressure developedby the inertia of the T member upon rough handling of the projectile orby its falling from a considerable height upon its base, the spring willreact instantly before the T member can turn on its axis, and willreturn the T member to normal position. Furthermore the thickness of theTarms from front to rear is such that if the shell fell on its nose froma considerable height and the hammer member were Ato compress spring 49and move forward, the hammer would be positively stopped by the 'T-arms,thus preventingcap 35 fromreaching firing pin 36.

When the shell is fired from the gun, however, the parts just describedautomatically assume an operative or non-safety position, illustrated inFig. 2. Owing to its inertia, the T member tends to stand still whilethe hammer block and fuse stock travel forward with the shell. The Tmember executes an apparent relative movement toward the rear until itsarms bear against Y' surfaces 44, where they are held by the setbackpressure against the resistance of spring 49. Since these surfaces arebest sloped at an angle greater than the angle of friction, the T-armsare caused by the set-back to ride rearwardly down said surfaces, and inso doing the arms turn so that theyenter transverse channel or recess 52in the forward face of the hammer block. This brings vent 42 intoregistry with passage 37 while the rear portion of stem 40 of the Tmember vhas entered axial recess 53 in fuse plug 25, the hardened punchend 54 resting against a relatively thin neck or section 55 of themetal, brass for instance, of which the fuse plug is made. At the sametime, the eccentrically located conical -39 is brought into alinementwith the conical inner end 29 of the impact pin. The

described rearward turning movement of the T member is possible becauseafter it moves back. into engagement with bearing surfaces 44, it is nolonger blocked by the end 29 of the impact pin. In order to insure freeclearance in thus turning, the T- head may be beveled or cut away as at57 (Fig. 7). As soon as the shell has left the gun .and has lostits'forward acceleration, the'spring 49 again moves the detent 46forward, effectually preventing return of the T member to safetyposition.

For convenience in assembling the described parts in the safety positionof Fig. 1, the hammer block may have a .small bore 58 (Figs. 4 and 6)extending inwardly from one Nside into the axial b ore 38 and intoregistry with a shallow bore 59 provided in the T-stem or punch 40, saidbores being designed to accommodatean assembling pin (not shown) ofsmall brass wire or the like which will be readily sheared by thesetback pressure of firing.

The hammer block may be cutaway somewhat as at 60', if necessary, inorder toin- The fuse plug. has a reduced portion 61 (Fig. 9) extendingback into the expansion chamber 26, said portion being necked or notchedat 61gt so that it may be readily broken olf by a lateral shock of therequisite intensity. The purpose of this construction will appear later.Through this reduced portion extends an axial bore 62 in alinement withpassage 41 of the Tpunch and containing a time or delay actionvtrain 63.A cross bore 64 accommodates a quick-burning pellet 65 and oppositelydisposed recesses 66 contain reinforcing quick-burning pellets 67. Asleeve 68 holds the pellets in place and is itself secured in positionby the crimpedeover edges 69 ofthe fuse plug end. Obviously otherarrangements 'than that described could be employed for securing apowerful flash at the end of the time train; but the constructiondescribed gives good results. The function of the reinforcingquick-burning pellets just described is to throw a strong pencil offlame toward the detonator charge hereinbefore mentioned and now to bedescribed.

Said detonator charge is of such character that explosion thereof indetonating relation to a booster charge or to a burster charge willdetonate said booster or burster. Said detonator charge is here shownasautomatically movable by set-back from nondetonating into detonatingposition. It comprises in the present example a column 70 of fulminateof mercury of such length' and arrangement that it cannot experience alshock of sufficient intensity to, explode it except by impact of theprojectile in flight against solid material. This charge may be inclosedin an extremely thin brass casing 71 of negligible strength, the capsulethus formed being located in a suitable chamber provided in theinteriorof a movable carrier member 72 which is most desirably made ofbronze. The forward end of casing7l is provided with a thin closure 7 ofrubber, for example, the closure being provided with a central ventopening 74. A thin covering 75 such as silk gauze is also provided andloose powder may be placed on this gauze covering. The amountoffulminate, fulminate mixture, or other detonating material employedand the dimensions of the detonating column naturally vary in practice,these details being dependent upon several factors such as the size ofthe shell, and its design. For a 12-inch shell weighing approximately750 pounds, I have found that the requirements are satisfactorily met bya capsule of the form here illustrated having a length of about one inchand a diameter sufficient to carry 30 grains bf fulminate of mercury.These dimensions are to be understood as merely typical and not asrestrictive.

Suitable provision must be madefor insuring that, under the properconditions, flame will be transmitted with certainty to the fulminatedetonator ca sule from the reinforcing pellets 65 and 6 while.at the xsame time the fulminate detonator charge is properly confined so thatits explosion force is suitably directed 'and'is not wasted by ventinginto the safety chamber. In other words, barrier means must be providedwhich will effectively confine the detonator charge and preventundesirable dissipation of its explosion force forwardly from thedetonator capsule, but which will nevertheless afford a passage forignition ofthe detonator from pellets 67. Provision should also be madefor insuring that the flash from said pellets is positively transmittedto said passage. An arrangement fulfilling these requirements will nowbe described.

In front of the fulminate charge, and also located within vthe movablecarrier, is an elongated quick-burning pellet 76 whose pointed end 77 isexposed to the flash from pellets 65 and 67. A Wisp of gun cotton mightbe substituted for pellet 76. In the present instance pellet 76 is shownas contained within a sleeve 78 tapered internally at its forward end toreceive its pointed end 77. At the rear of pellet 76 is a strong barrierplug 7 9 which is secured by screw threads in the rear end of sleeve 78and which has a restricted central passage 80. This passage affords afree ath for transmission of flame from pellet 6 to the fulmifulminatenate detonator; or, if desired, it may contain quick-burning explosivefor flame transmission. But the passage is of such small bore as topreclude any substantial venting of the detonator charge explosiontherethrough, and consequently the full force of such explosionis'exerted in detonating the burster charge, either directly or througha booster. Said plug 7 9 also serves as a pressure abutment for thefulminate capsule, as will be explained hereinafter.

The movable'carrier 72 is provided with external right hand threads 81engaging corresponding threads in a passage extending coaxially throughthe partition plug 23. In the present example threads 81 are double andtheir pitch is greater than the angle of friction. The chamber provided'within the movable carrier member is here shown as extendinglongitudinally thereof at a slight angle to its axis; and at its rearportion adjacent the fulminate charge there is an elongated lateral ventopening 82. By thus inclining the chamber to the axis of the carrier,the fulminate charge is brought very close to the outside of the carrierat the location of the vent opening. In practice, the proximity of thedetonator to the charge to be exploded is a matter of importance,especially Where said charge is not readily detonated, as is the casewith trinitrotoluol.

- In the position shown in Fig. l; the movable detonator charge is seento be in detonating communication only with the interior of the safetyor expansion chamber 26. In this position no harm will be done if saidchargeJ should for any reason happen to explode. As previously stated,said expansion chamber is so designed with reference to its cubiccapacity and wall strength as to withstand such an explosion withoutrupture. Moreover the high pressure of the explosion would immediatelyseal the mating threads of carrier 72 and partition plug 23 by forcingthe malleable metal of the two members into close contact. This has beenlproved to be the fact by repeated practical tests.

In order that thev movable detonator charge may lfunction to detonatethe burster charge of the shell either directly, or indirectly throughbooster charge 24 as in the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2, it is necessarythat the carrier member 72 be screwed through the partition plug 23 soas to bring vent opening 82 partly or wholly to the rear of thepartition plug. The pitch of the screw threads of the carrier member isadvantageously so steep that this rearward screwing movement can beeected solely by the set-back pressure developed in firing theprojectile from a gun; but the effect of the set-back pressure may besupplemented or controlled by utilizing also the clockwise spin of theshell. 'It is not my intention, therefore, to be limited to aconstruction in ing but before the shell has left t e gun,

lprovision should be made for timing the rearward movement of themovable carrier and its detonating charge in such manner as to insurethat such rearward movement shall not have been completed or shall nothave progressed lto such an extent that the detonator charge has beenbrought into operative relation to the booster charge or the burstercharge until after the projectile is out of and safely away from thegun. Owing to the enormous force developed at the instant of firing, itis difficult to design the threads onl the movable'carrier so that itwill meet the foregoing conditions, and at the same time to insure.uniform and certain movement through thesafety partition 23.- To secure.this result, I have found that.

a governing device is desirable to regulate its .moi/ement. provide thenecessary Aregulation by means of a rotatable member so connected to thecarrier as not'to interfere with its longitudinal movementfwhile at thesame time the .screwing movement of the carrier is made to impartrotation to said rotatable member, which latter by reason ofits inertiaacts as a---brake-when the carrier member starts to screw rearwardly.This delays the movement of the carrier member to such an eX- tent thatthe detonator charge carried there-l by does not come into operativerelation vto the burster charge until the projectile is out of the gun.y.At the Sametime, the rotatable braking device, having once beenspe'eded up then acts as a fly wheel', giving up energy to the movablelcarrier and making it doubly certain that the carrier is eventuallyscrewed back tothe limit of its rearward movement.

vIn the present mechanical embodiment of the mechanism just described in.broad terms, the heavy steel sleeve 83 engagmg at its rear end theantifriction thrust bearings 84 constitutes the rotatable governingdevice. y Said sleeve is shown as provided with ribs or keys 85 fittinginto slots 'or key yvays 86 provided in a cross head member 87 which iskeyed 'or otherwise effectively secured to the forward end of therotatable carrier as at 88. It will be seen that as the carrier vmemberscrews toward the rear, the cross head will slide longitudinally alongthe ribs 85 while at the same time compelling the governing sleeve orfly wheel 83 to rotate. -T he ribs 85 are shown as terminatin at 89'.The forward edges of the circu ar cross head are beveled or slopedbetween the key ways 86, stepvfashion. Consequentlywhen the movablecarrier 7 2 has nearly reached the limit In the present instance I.

of its rearward movement, the key connection between the vily wheel 83andthe screw the small clearance shown at 90 .(Fig. 1)

between said fly wheel and shoulder 90a of the fuse stock, and therebystoppingI the fly wheel after it has traveled less than 180 fa-rtherthan the carrier. As a result, the carrier is now wedged andlocked rmlyin operative position (Fig. and it cannot return to inoperative position-by any chance.

The quantity of explosive constituting the booster charge in chamber 24is such lthat when the carrier member 7 9 is in itsrearmost position,said booster charge will be packed tothe requisite density around saidcarrier. In order to facilitate passage of the carrier through thecharge, a twisted boring blade 91 may be provided at its rear end. rlhisboring blade acts as a distributer, supplementing the effect ofcentrifugal force, developed by the shell spin in distributing thebooster charge against the walls o f the booster chamber and around the`carrler. v v L Where it 1s not considered necessary that theprojectileshall have ,traveled vforward a certain distance before thefuse mechanism is in operative condition, and particularly with smallshells, the fly wheel may be omitted, especially if the 'screw` carrierris provided with a boring end as above described, since this tends toprevent too rapid screwing down. E

Detent means are provided'to prevent the movable carrier from turning tomove'out of safety position prior to firingv the projectile..Y -Suchmeans may take the form of a coiled spring 92 secured at one endto the kcross head/87, and having its free end 93 lbent to 'enter any one of therecesses 94 in the fuse plug. This device operates like a ratchet,permitting the carrier to be screwed*- press it stillfurther and releasethe bent end 98 from its locking engagement with the fuse plug, thuspermitting rearward screwing movement of the carrier to occur.

' Figs. 12 and 13 illustrate another lconstruction in which the carriermember does not have to bore its way through the booster los charge inmoving back into operative position. Innthis embodiment of theinvention, the rear end of the movable carrier 72 is providedwithaflanged tail-piece 95 suitably secured thereto and fitting looselywithin a longitudinally movable tube 96 which is internally flanged at97 and' 98 for engagement with the flange of the tail-piece. The tubetelescopes inside of a stationary cup 99, constituting a part of the endplug of the fuse stock 20. As here shown said end plugscrews into thefuse stock on a left hand thread as at 100. Suitable apertures closed bythreaded plugs 101 are provided for filling thebooster chamber withexplothe rear flange 9S, whereupon further travel of the carrier movesthe tube'also, causing it to telescope within cup 99 and to .leave thevent opening 82 of the screw carrier in free communication vwith thebooster charge 24, the final position of the parts being as shown inFig. 13. It is evident that this booster charge 24 can Abefpackedpreliminarily to just the proper density; consequently it is not in anyway disturbed by, and offers no obstruction to, the rearward movement ofthe detonator carrier. This arrangement therefore has advantages in somerespects and for certain purposes over that previously described.

In Fig. 11 is illustrated an embodiment of certain principles of theinvention in which the firing mechanism takes a somewhat simpler form,the arrangement shown being especially adapted for small shells and forshells used on land. In this construction the booster charge and themeans for cutting out the delay action train are dispensed with. Thecasing 102 screws into the nose of the torpedo or high explosive shell103 as before, but does not extend rearwardly beyond partitionplug 23,which now also constitutes the rear end closure of the fuse stock andseparates the safety or expansion chamber from the main shell chambercontaining the burster charge 104 of trinitrotoluol or other suitableexplosive. The movable detonator charge carrier therefore screwsrearwardly from safety position through plug 23 directly into theburster charge. The construction of said movable carrier and its methodof control may be as hereinbefore explained in connection with Figs. 1and 2. Fig. 11 illustrates the position of the parts after the shell hasbeen4 fired and has left the gun. Fuse plug 105corresponds closely Atofuse plug 25. Head plug 106 comprises in this instance the well knowncombination fuse, including an adjustable time train automatically setin action upon firing, and a percussion device (not shown) operable byimpact. r1`he usual timing rings arel indicated at 107. Both said timetrain and percussion device vent into a reservoir 108 of quick-burningpowder which blows through the central bore of fuse plug 105 and ignitesdelay action train 63', from which in turn flame is transmittedas beforedescribed by pellets 65, 67 to the charge in movable carrier 72. Thedelay action train element 63 may be omitted, in which case explosive in108 flashes directly across to the movable carrier charge, with orwithout the aid of auxiliary quick-burning pellets such as 65, 67. Ifthe delay action element 63 is employed, it is ordinarily designed for avery brief delay, say one one-hundredth of a second, sufficientmerely topermit the shell to bury itself after impact with the ground, forexample, before exploding. The calibration of the timing rings will. ofcourse take account of the employment or omission of the delay actiontrain 63.

The advantages attending the association, in a projectile, of thedescribed safety chamber and movable detonating charge carrier, with theusual combination fuse, o-r with any fuse embodying an adjustable timetrain, are evident. ccidental explosion of the shell charge in handlingthe projectile prior to firing, or explosion after firing but before theshell has left the gun, both occasioned by premature explosion of thedetonating charge or booster, are both effectively kguarded against andprevented by the present construction. Just as in the construction ofFigs. 1 and 2, the movable det` safety chamber without affecting themain shell charge.

It is evident that the described safety device may also be employed inother types of projectiles, such as shrapnel, to safeguard the operationof firing mechanism ordinarily employed in such projectiles.

The operation of the illustrated embodiments of my invention has beenlargely explained in connection with the foregoing description ofconstructional details, but for the sake of clearness the operation willbe here summarized.

Referring first to that form of the invention embodying fuse mechanismof the type l shown in Figs. 1 to 10 inclusive, and assum' ing the partsto be in their normal positions prior to firing, as appearing in Figs. 1and 5, the firing ofthe associated projectile from a gun will occasionthe following operations: The setback! pressure of firing overcomes' theresistance of spring 49, permitting arms yoff' said surfaces rearwardlyinto cross-channel 52, said member coming to rest in the position ofFig.- 2, with vent 41 and pelletA 51 in operative relation to assage 37and the punch end resting on the ottom of recess 53 of the fuse plug,whereby flame-transmitting communication is established between cap 35and delay action train 63. The hammer block is now free to move forwardupon suitable retardation of the projectile to force cap 35 againstfiring pin 36. Recess 56 in the punch member is in alinement withconical end 29 of the impact pin. The mechanism for setting the delayaction train in operation, and also the mechanism for cutting it out,are now ready to operate instantly when the proper conditions arise.

In the meantime the locking spring 92 has been compressed by thesetback, thus releasing carrier member 72, which is forced rearwardly bythe setback, screwing through safety partition 23fand projecting intothe booster chamber, this movement being timed and regulated as beforeexplained, and, in the case of certain constructions within the scope.of the invention, being aided more or less by the shell spin also, ifthe gun rifling is effective. The charge of fulminate or other suitableexplosive and the booster charge 82 are thus placed in operativerelato'n to each other, and operative communication with cap 35 and itsassociated train mechanism is also established. The projectile being nowwell away .from the gun and in flight, with the parts of the fusemechanism occupying the relative positions shown in Fig. 2, saidmechanism is ready to operate in 'any one of several ways, dependingupon the character of the target struck by the projectile. y

Assume first that the projectile strikes water. The shock is notsufiiciently intense to detonate the charge 70 or any other' chargecontained in the projectile. Impact pin 28 is not driven in and hencethe delay action train is not cut out. By reason of its inertia, thehammer block forces cap 35 sharply against firing pin 36. The resultantflame shoots rearwardly through passage 37, and is guided by groove 42aagainst pellet 51, which flashes through 41 tothe delay train 63. Thedelay train may burn for say half a second, for example, at the end ofwhich time the pellets 65, 67 blow across the intervening gap to pellet76 which ignites charge 70, the latter in turn flashing through opening82 into the booster 24 which instantly explodes, bursting its inclosingwalls and detonating the burster or main shell charge.

The only part of the complete train connecting cap 35 with the burstercharge,

llay action element 63.

which consumes more than a negligible time in flame transmission, is thehalf-second de- Consequently the projectile explodes almost exactlyhalfw a second after it strikes' the water, or after such other periodof delay as the delay action element may be designed for. i If' theprojectile be of the diving type, such as that disclosed in my copendingapplication Serial No. 872,816 filed Nov. 18, 1914, (Patent No.1,188,178, granted June 20, 1916), fo'rvexample, the projectile `willmake an under-water run of half a second and will then explode with thesame destructive effect as a mine or a torpedo.

Assume -now that the projectile' strikes squarely thin armor, that is,armor half an inch or less in thickness,'or a target offering aresistance of similar intensity. If' the charge 70 be designed'strictlyinaccordance with the definition of a semi-insensitive chargehereinbefore given,it will not be detonated by the resultant shock. Theimpact pin will be instantlyv driven in, however, and, with its conicalinner end 29 entering recess 56 of the T-shaped punch member and forcingsaid member rearwardly, will cause the hard steel punch end 54 to cutthrough the thin section 55 of relatively soft metal holding the delaytrain in position, thus exposing pellets 65, 67 tothe direct flash frompellet 51, which in the meantime has been ignited by percussion device35, 36. The delay being thus cut out, the explosion ofthe burster chargeoccurs almost instantaneously.

Evidently the cuttingout ofthe; delay action train would occ'ur in themanner described also in case the charge 70 were either more or lesssensitive than a semi-insensitive charge.

Assume finally that the projectile strikes squarely against heavy armor.The charge 7 0,l if semi-insensitive or of higher sensitiveness and ifproperly proportioned as hereinbefore explained, will crowd forwardagainst the rear end of plug 79 with such force as to telescope vthecapsule casing 71 over said plug, thereby developing an intensity ofpressure on charge 70 which exceeds'the critical explosion pressure forsaid charge. Said charge will therefore be instantly exploded, sendingoff the booster and thereby causing substantially instantaneousexplosion of the shell charge. The ycasing 71 may be weighted at therear to further insure development of' pressure of the requisiteintensity upon impact with armor. The delay cut-out and percussiondevice will be operated too, of course, but the shock detonation ofcharge 70 slightly precedes their operation which is therefore withouteffect.

' If the implact with heavy armor be glancing but su ciently intense todeform the shell, shock explosion of the detonator charge will occurexactly as in the case of solid or head-on impact of less intensity.Glancing impact with either heavy or light armor will cause operation ofthe percussion device 35-36 by reason of the longitudinal component ofthe resulting retardation of the projectile; and at the same time thelateral component of retardation will cause tlie reduced rear portion ofthe fuse plug to break od at the small section connecting it to theforward portion, thereby cutting out the delay action element andinsuring practically instantaneous explosion of the Vmain or burstercharge of the shell, even though the impact pin may not be driven in.

It is evident therefore that the described construction provides for adelayed explosion ofV the shell when it strikes water, and forsubstantially instantaneous explosion thereof when the shell strikes atarget of` scribed for the construction of Figs. 1 to 10. i

In the construction of Fig. 11, the time fuse train (including delayaction element 63', if employed) is not set in operation by impactprimarily, but its action is initiated automaticallyin a well knownmanner as the projectile is leaving the gun. Prior to firing, themovable charge carrier occupies the same position as shown in Fig. 1,and its movement rearwardly into operative position occurs in exactlythe same way as above explained in connection with Figs. 1 .and 2. Ifyno impact occurs within the period of time for which the timing deviceis set, then at the end of that period pellets 65, 67, or theirequivalent, are ignited and ash across to the movable detonator charge,which latter, being now in free communication with burster charge 104detonates the burster instantly. If impact occurs prior to expiration ofthe time set and no delay action element 63 is employed, the explosionwill be substantially instantaneous dueto operation of the percussiondevice (not shown) included in thi combination fuse. Or explosion willoccur after the small fraction of a' second delay occasioned by suchdelay element if used.

Fromthe foregoing, it is apparent cer.- tain features of my fusemechanism, such as ythe movable charge carrier and its controllingmechanism, for example, are capable of use separately and apart fromcertain'other 'features shown combined therewith in Figs.

1 and 2; and the invention is therefore to be understood as extending tosuch use.

p While I have specied certain materials as entering into practicalconstructions em- 65 bodying the principles 'of my invention,

nevertheless it is not to inferred that the invention is in any senselimited to the use of these specic materials, since they are hereinmentioned only for the purpose of disclosing the best form of theinvention at present known to me. Itis evident too that by suitablymodifying the constructions here shown by way of examples, thebroadprin- -ciples of the invention, can readily be embodied in a basefuse instead of in a nose fuse. The invention is thereforeto be un#derstood as including broadly all combinations "in this art fairlycoming within the appended claims.

What I claim is 1. In a shell, the combination, with a burster chargeand a detonator charge, said `charges being normally in inoperativerelation to each other, of means operable directly by set-back pressureof firing to establish operative relation between said charges, andmeans for controlling 'the rate at which such relation is established.v

2. In a shell, the combination, with la burster charge and a detonatorcharge, said charges being normally in inoperative relation to eachother but being relatively movable into operative relation, of meansoperable directly by set-back pressure of firing to effect such relativemovement into operative relation, and means for controlling the rate ofsuch movement.

3. In a shell, the combination of a burster charge, a movable detonatorcharge, a safety chamber wherein said detonator charge` is normallymaintained in inoperative relation to said burster charge, a carriermember movable directly by set-back pressure of firing to transfer saiddetonator charge from said safety chamber into operative relation tosaid burster charge, and an inertia speed governor associated with saidcarrier member and arranged to control the movemen thereof.

4. Firing mechanism for projectiles comprising, in combination, a safetychamber, a detonator charge normally maintained therein but movable outofsaid chamber by firing of the projectile from a gun, and a delayaction train arranged to be set in action by impact with water and toexplode said detonator after Ya delay of at least about one-half second.

5. Firing mechanism for projectiles comprising, in combination, a safetychamber, a detonator charge normally maintained therein but movable outof saidl chamber by firing of the projectile from a gun, a delay actiontrain arranged to be set in action' by impact with water and to explodesaid detonator Vafter a delay of atleast about onehalf second, andprovisionfr for eliminating the delay when the projectile strikes asolid target.

6. In a shell, the combination of a burster charge, a safety chamberhaving a suitable wall traversed by a passage, and a movable wall intooperative relation tosaid burs'ter charge.

7. In firing mechanism, the combination.

of a strong-walled ysafety chamber, a threaded passage extending througha wall of said chamber, and a threaded charge-carrer fitting and movablewithin said/passage.

8. In a shell, the combination, with a burster chamber, of a detonatorsafety chainber normally isolated therefrom, and means operable directlyvby set-back pressure of {ir- -ing to establish communication betweensaid chambers.

9. In a shell, the combination, with a4 l burster chamber, of adetonator safety chamL ber normally isolated therefrom, and a threadedmember adapted to screw through a. threaded passage in a wall of saidsafety chamber and thereby to establish communication between saidchambers.

10. Firing mechanism for projectiles comprising a walled safety chamber,a vhollow carrier member normally within' said cham-- ber but movable bysetback through a wall thereof land having a detonation aperture, and adetonator capsule disposed within said hollow carrier member and exposedthrough said aperture only to the interior of the safety chamber whenthe carrier member is in safety position, and exposed outside the safetychamber when the carrier member has moved through the safety chamberwall.

11. Firing mechanism for projectiles comprising a walled safety chamber,a detonator charge therein, and a member tting within a passage througha wall of said safety chamber and normally preventing communicationbetweenthe-interior and exterior of said chamber by way of said passage,said member being movable in said passage directly by set-back pressureof iring to establish such communication.

12. Firing mechanism comprising a fuse stock containing a walled safetychamber, a threaded charge carrier arranged normally to maintain adetonator charge inoperative Within said chamber but adapted to screwthrough awall of said chamber and therebyv to render said detonatorcharge operative, and a boring end on said charge carrier.

`13. Firing mechanism comprising afuse stock containing a safety orexpansion chamber, and a charge carrier arrangedl normally to maintain amovable detonator chargein non-detonating position within said cha'mber,but capable of a screwing movement through a wall of said chamber tobring said charge into detonating position.

'14. Firing mechanism'comprising a fuse stock containing a safety orexpansion chamber, a charge carrier arranged normally to maintain 'a'detonator charge in non-detonating position within said chamber, butcapable of a screwing `movement through a wall of saidchamber to bringvsaid charge into detonating position7 and a controlling member Soconnected with said carrer as to be rotated by the screwing move-- mentof said carrier and thereby to affect A. I

the speed of said movement.- y y15'. In a shell, the combination 'of twochambers separated bya wall and norma-ily' substantiallynon-communicating, anoli'means.` "ttingin a passage extendingthrough-,said

wall, said means being movable in said passage directly by set backpressure offiring to establish communication between` saidl chambers,provision being also made to con' trol the rate of movement of saidmeans.

16. In a shell, the combination with a burster charge, a safety chamber,and a 'detonator charge normally maintained inoperative within saidsafety chamber, of means operable by motion of the projectile in flightto move said detonator charge into operative relation to said burstercharge, and provision for controlling the rapidity with which suchtransfer may be effected.

17. Firing mechanism comprising a fuse rier produces rotational movementof said member.

18. Firing mechanism vcomprising a fuse stock containing a safety o rexpansion chamber, a charge carrier having a screw portion movablelongitudinally of the fuse stock through a screw-threaded' aperture attheV rear of said chamber, a member rotatable with respect to said fusestock but incapable of more than slight longitudinal movement relativelythereto, and a cross-headon said carri-er slotted to engage alongitudinal key on said member, whereby screwing movement of thecarrier produces rotational movement -of saidF member.

19. Firing mechanism comprising a detonator charge containing fulminateof mer- -cury arranged in a column of such length as to be eXplosible byshock of impact against heavy armor, but not to be explosible by shockof impact against water.`

armor, but not to be explosible by shock of impact against water, andmeans whereby said charge may be automatically moved from anon-detonating to a detonating position when the projectile with whichthe` iring mechanism is used is red."

21. In a shell, the combination, with a burster charge not explosible byshock of impact against heavy armor, of a detonator charge comprising abody of explosive containing fulminate of mercury arranged in a column0I such length as not to be explolsible by shock of impact against waterbut to be explosible by shock of impact against heavy armor.

22. In a lshell, the combination, with a' burster charge not explosibleby shock of impact against heavy armor, of a detonator charge comprisinga 'body of fulminate of mercury arranged in 'a column of such v,lengthas not to be explosible by shock of impact against water but to beexplosible by shock of impact against heavy armor, said detonator chargebeing normally incapable of detonating said bui-ster charge, but beingarranged to be automatically rendered capable of such detonation whenthe shell is fired from a gun.

23. In a shell, the combination, with a burster charge not explosible byshock of impact against heavy armor, of a detonator charge arranged in acolumn of such length as to be explosible by shock of impact againstheavy armor, but not explosible by shock of impact against water, saiddetonator charge being normally out of detonating relation j withrespect to said burster charge but being arranged to assume suchrelation automatically when the shell is red from a gun.

24. In a shell, the combination, with a burster charge not explosible byshock of impact against heavy armor, of/a detonator charge arranged in acolumn of such length as to be explosible by shock of impact againstheavy armor, but not explosible by shock of impact against water,rsaiddetonator charge .being normally maintained in a position such thatexplosion thereof would not detonate the burster charge, but beingmovable by motion of the shell in Hight into -detonatlng position,

25. An explosive projectile comprising a burster charge, a combined timeand prcussion fuse deviceadapted to produce delayed explosion uponimpact with water and substantially instantaneous explosion upon.

detonator charge is normally maintained out of detonating relation tosaid burster charge, said detonator charge being movablev intodetonating relation to said burster charge by firing of the projectilefrom a gun.

26. Firing mechanism for projectiles comprising a cylindrical safetychamber having a rear wall, a device rotarily movable through said rearwall to establish communicationbetween the interior and exterior of saidchamber, a governor member rotatable within said safety chamber, and aspline connection between said device and governor member.

27. Firing mechanism for projectiles co-mprising a cylindrical safetychamber having a rear wall, a 'charge carrier for normally maintaining acharge, in communication only with said chamber, but arranged to bemoved rotarily through said rear wall by tiring of the projectile toplace such charge in communication with the exterior of said chamber, acylindrical governor located within said chamber and rotatably bearingagainst said rear wall, and means coupling said charge carrier and saidgovernor while permitting their relative longitudinal movement. y

28, Firing mechanism for projectiles comprising a cylindrical safetychamber having a rear wall, a charge carrier for normally maintaining acharge in communication only with said chamber, but arranged to be movedrotarily through said rear wall by firing of the projectile to placesuch charge in communication with the exterior of said 'cham-V chargecarrier for normally maintaining a detonator charge in detonatingcommunication only with said chamber, but arranged to screw through saidrear wall automatically when the projectile is red to establishdetonating communication between said charge and the exterior of saidchamber, a relatively heavy rotatable cylindricalv governor within saidchamber, an anti-friction thrust bearing between said governor and saidrear wall, an abutment limiting forward movement of said governor, and acrosshead rigid with said carrier and slotted to engage a longitudinalrib on said governor, said crosshead havmg a beveled surface at itsforward end, said rib being of such length that when said carrier hasreached approximately the limit of its rearward movement, the connectionbetweensaid governor and crosshead 1s broken, whereby the governor mayrotate after the carrler has stopped, thereby causing the governor ribto ride up over the beveled surface of the crosshead and jam Athegovernor between the crosshead and said abutment.

30. Firing mechanism for projectiles comprising. afuse containing asafety chamber, a detonatorchargenormally maintained within-saidsafetyjchamber but rotatably movable therefrom into detonating position,and means. Controlled by said carv rier and `arranged to facilitate itsmovement through material outside lsaid chamber.

31.' Firing mechanism for projectiles comprising. the combination, witha delay action4 train arranged to be set in action by impact withmaterial offering relatively low resistance, of a detonator chargearranged to be ignited by said train, a safetyl chamber within whichsaid charge is normally maintained inoperative, means operableautomatically ,upon firing of the projectile'to establish detonatingrelation betweensaid charge and the exterior "of said chamber, and meansoperable by impact with metal or the like to substantially eliminate thedelay action of j able from nonldetonating to detonating posisaid train.

l32. Firing mechanism for projectiles comprising the combination, with adelayaction train arranged to be 'set in action by lmpact with materialvoffering relatively low resistance, of-a detonator charge arranged to beignited by said train, said charge belngmovtion, and means operable byimpact with metal or the like tov substantially eliminate the delayaction of saidtrain. 33. Firing mechanism for projectiles comprising thecombination, with a' delay action train, of a detonator charge arrangedto be y ignited by said train, said .charge being movable fromnon-detonating to detonating position, and: means operable upon impactof the containing projectile with a solid target to eliminate the delaywhich would be caused by said delay action train'.

34. Firing mechanism for projectiles comprising the combination, with adelay action train, of a detonator charge arranged to be ignited by saidtrain but normally in nondetbnating or inoperative position, of. adevice operable upon' impact of the containing projectile with a solidtarget to eliminate the delay which would be caused by said de ,layaction train, said devicebeing normally in inoperative position, bothsaid detonator charge and the trainlshorteiilng device being arranged toassume operative position auto? matically upon firing the containingprojectile from'a gun.

35.y Firing mechanism for projectiles comprising the combination,with asafety chamber, of a detonator charge normally in com-` munication onlywith said safety chamber,

, the carrier wall.

37. An explosive projectile comprising the comblnation, with a highexplosive charge, of a detonator capsule, and a hollow carrier member Icontaining said detonator capsule,

and normally maintaining the same in nondetonating relation to saidcharge, but movable by the set-back due to ring ofthe projectile from agun'to bring said detonator capsule closely adjacent to said charge anddirectly exposed thereto through a vent opening provided in said carriermember.

38. An explosive projectile comprising the combination, withavhighexplosive charge,

of a safety chamber, and la "movable det onator carrier provided with adetonator cavity having a vent' opening, a detonator capsule in saidcavity, said carrier being normally in such position that said ventopeningleadsonly into said safety-chamber, but l being movable directlybythe set-back due to firing othe .projectile into detonatin positionwith said high explosive charge and said detonator capsule in directcommunica.- tion through said opening.

, 39. In firing mechanism for projectiles,

the combinationwith a delay action train, of

means operable upon impact to shorten said train, said means comprisingtwo members normally out of copeiating relation, but

arrangedto be brought into co eratingrelation automatically by firing otile from a v 40.. In firing mechanism for projectiles, the combination,with a delay action train, of a train-cutting memberl normally out ofoperative position but arranged to move into operative positionautomatically'upon iring of the projectile from a gun, and an impactmember arranged to`transmit the force of a suitably `intense impacttosaid the projectrain-cutting member afterL the latter has .assumed itsoperative position.. i

' 41. In firing mechanism for projectiles,

, the combination with a delay action train,

of a train-cutting member normally -out of `operative relation to saidtrain but rotatable by set-back pressure of Jiring into operativerelation thereto, a relatively fixed impact pin-arranged to beunaffected by impact with water but arranged to be driven in by impactwith solid material and thereby to transmit the force of such impact tosaid vtrain-cutting member after the latter has assumed its operativeposition.

42. In firing mechanism for projectiles, the combination, with a delayaction train, and percussion means for setting said train in action, ofa vent member having a main vent channel and adapted to establishcommunication between said percussion means and said train, said ventmember being provided with a secondary vent for the escape of air orother gas trapped in that end of the vent channel next to said train.

43. Firing mechanism for projectiles comprising ignition means includinga cap, a detonator charge movable with respect to said ignition meansfrom a safety or nonoperative position into an operative position,barrier means confining said charge but provided with a restrictedignition passage, and a body of quick-burning explosive movable withsaid charge and arranged to receive the flash from said ignition meansand to direct it to said passage.

44. In a projectile, the combination with a burster charge, of adetonator charge normally out of operative relation thereto, meansoperable by firing of the projectile from a gun to establish operativerelation between said charges prior to impact, a time train operable toignite said detonator and arranged to be set in action by impact withmaterial offering relatively low resistance, and means operable only byimpact of higher intensity to eliminate the delay action of said train.

45. In a projectile, the combination with a burster charge, of adetonator charge normally out of operative relation thereto, meansoperable by ring of the projectile from a gun to establish operativerelation between said charges, a delay action train operable to ignitesaid detonator, and means operable by impact of the projectile with asolid target to shorten said delay action train.

relatively insensitive charge, a carrier member for said relativelysensitive charge, said carrier being automatically rotatable by liringof the projectile from a gun to establish explosive relation betweensaid charges, and means for controlling the rate of carrier rotation. l47. Firing mechanism for projectiles comprising, in combination, arelatively sensitive explosive charge, a relatively insensitiveexplosive charge, a safety chamber, said relatively sensitive chargebeing normally in explosive relation to said safety chamber but not inexplosive relation to said relatively insensitive charge, meansautomatically operable by firing of the projectile from a gun toestablish explosive relation between the two charges, and means forproducing either delayed or substantially instantaneous explosion ofsaid relatively sensitive charge according to the character of thetarget struck by the projectile, the arrangement being such that saidexplosion is delayed when the projectile strikes water but issubstantially instantaneous when it strikes metal. l

48. Firing mechanism for projectiles comprising, in combination, arelatively insensitive explosive charge, a relatively sensitiveexplosive charge for detonating said relatively insensitive charge butmaintained normally out of explosive relation thereto, meansautomatically operable by firing of the projectile from a gun forestablishing explosive relation between said charges, and means fortiming the operation of the first means.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

WILLARD S. ISHAM.

